If* 


University  of  California  •  Berkeley 


',///,,,„  /""/  ''I/"'''  «.<//"••••-  .•/'"•''• 


N\rs. 


0  Y\ 


O    U 


B    I  : 


f 

OR    THE 


VIRTUES  OF  NATURE. 


A  N 


INDIAN     TALE. 


IN    FOUR    CANTOS. 


BY    PHILENIA,   a  LADY  of  BOSTON. 


*'  Fierce  Wars  and  faithful  Loves  fhall  moralize  my  Soug." 

Spenfer's  Fairy  Queett. 


PRINTED    AT    BOSTON, 

BY    I.  T  H  O  M  A  S    AND    E.  T.  A  N  D  R  E  W  S, 

At  FAUST's  STATUS,  No.  45,  Newbury  Street.- 

MDCCXC, 


TO    THE 

Hon.  JAMES  BOWDOIN,  Efq. 

L.L.D.  F.R.S.  PRESIDENT  of  the  AMERICAN 

ACADEMY  of  ARTS  and   SCIENCES,  and  late 

GOVERNOR  of  the  COMMONWEALTH 

of  MASSACHUSETTS. 
SIR, 

y<L/t/&  ve#ie,vation  >  -rumen  uowt  Id&taru 

*  / 

and  btouuc   ohaiactet    demands,    and  ine 

f  which  ^J,oli'v   hnvate,  and   a&me&ftc 

.       "  //  • 

Tvive/Maliu  ^ecC'ivef  aw  a 

olonti  fov  tne,  foeeaowt,  *J  now  take 
&  /  i  *  %  9 

ina  tne,  %ollo7vma>  favoawciiovi  ,  which  1*4  ivhol- 
lu  i/Lin&uca/n,  ,  at    uouv   fe&t  ;    convmt&a, 

•         0  C 

watle,  fvo<m    twiw    lusdumc.'Tit  and  iaft&  *J 
I  /         /    <f  / 

•have,  much  to  ahhwhend,  fwm  uouv  candov 

and  u&nzvol&nce,  <J  have,  zve,mt,  thing,  to  no  fie. 

/        '  <f          / 

t/  have-  the-  honov  to  u&,  with  cvemt, 
time-nt  of  ^e^h^ct  and 


<-vouv  ve^it  oDtiacd  and 


AS  the  Dedication  was  accepted,  £nd  approved,  by  the  refpeclable 
character,  to  whom  it  was  addrefled,  and  in  the  prefs,  previous  to  the 
unfortunate  event,  which  deprived  fcience  and  mankind  of  that  orna- 
ment to  both,  the  author  is  induced,  rather  from  a  fentiment  of  pro- 
priety  than  vanity  >  to  infert  the  following  Note,  the  laft  effort  of  a  mind, 
the  faculties  of  which  were  never  impaired. 

"  Mr.  Bo  WDOIN  this  morning  had  the  pleafure  of  receiving  Mrs. 

" 's  very  polite  billet,  accompanied  with  a  manufcript  Poem, 

««  entitled,  "  The  Virtues  of  Nature." 

"  Her  intention  of  dedicating  it  to  him  does  him  great  honor,  and 
"  as  fuch  he  fhall  accept  it,  as  coming  from  the  well -directed  pen  of 
"  the  ingenious  PHILENIA. 

"  In  the  Dedication,  which  he  wiflies  as  juftly  applied,  as  it  is  well 
«  written,  he  begs  leave  to  reverfe  one  fentiment,  that  the  volume 
"  will  be  fo  far  from  needing  the  candor  and  benevolence  of  the 
"  reader  to  recommend  it,  that  it  will  (land  the  ted  of  the  moft  crit- 
"  ical  judgment  a$d  tafte. 

"  The  volume  would  be  enlarged  by  that  Lady's  adding  to  it  from 
"  her  budget  of  poetry,  fuch  a  number  of  pieces,  as  would  make  it 
"  refpeclable,  not  only  for  the  matter,  but  for  its  fize. 

"  Mr.  Bo  WDOIN  would  propofe  that  the  raanufcript  mould  re- 
"  main  where  it  is,  for  a  day  or  two,  to  give  Mrs.  BOWDOIN  and 
"  her  daughter,  Lady  TEMPLE,  an  opportunity  of  reading  it.  In 
**  the  mean  time  he  begs  leave  to  falute  the  amiable  PHILENIA  with 
"  his  beft  and  moft  refpectful  compliments. 

"  In  room  of  PHILENIA,  he  thinks  it  would  be  beft  the  real  name 
<'  of  the  fair  author  fliould  be  fubftituted." 

Bojlont  October  i6thy  1790. 


INTRODUCTION. 

FRO  Man  idea  of  being  original  in  my  fubjeft,  I  was 
induced  to  undertake  tie  following  Tale.  Tl?e  manners  and  cuf- 
toms  of  the  Aborigines  of  North  America  are  fo  limited  and  Jim- 
pie,  that  they  have  fcarcely  engaged  the  attention  either  of  the  Phi- 
lofopher  or  the  Poet.  Acquainted  with  fame  of  their  inter ejling 
ceremonies  from  tradition,  I  became  defirous  of  gaining  further  in- 
telligence^ and  gratefully  acknowledge  myfslf  indebted  to  the  obliging 
communications  of  Generallumco'LK,  for  mojl  of  the  local  rites  and 
cuftoms  alluded  to,  where  I  have  not  quoted  any  other  authority. 
The  opportunity  his  public  commijjion,  in  the  late  negociations  be- 
tween the  United  States  and  the  Southern  Indians,  has  afforded 
him  to  acquire  the  bejl  information,  added  to  the  refyeft  ability  of 
his  character,  will  render  his  authority  unqueflioncd. 

As  my  principal  defign  in  attempting  the  Poem  was  to  arnufe  my 
retire^  hours,  and  to  gratify  a  few  amiable  friends,  it  is  alone  in 
compliance  with  the  felicitations  of  thofe  friends,  that  I  have  been 
prevailed  upon  to  expofe  it  to  the  public  eye  \  but  I  am  led  to  pre- 
fume  tha^  deficient  as  the  Poetry  really  is,  it  will  convey  feme  in- 
formation^ from  the  collection  of  many  particidars  which  are  not 
generally  known. 

The  grades  cf  human  nature,  and  the  various  propenjities  and 
avocations  of  mankind,  in  their  different  Jl  ate  $  and  foci  dies,  mnjl 
always  be  greatly  interejling  to  the  view  of  the  philofepher  ;  and 
even  the  mo  ft  trifling  production  may  become  ufeful,  ifitferves  to 
throw  light  on  Jo  important  a  fubjetL 

It  may  perhaps  be  objected,  that  I  have  given  my  favourite 
Ouabi,  a  degrec\of  infer fibility,  with  rcfpeft  to  the  love  ^Celario, 
incompatible  with  the  greatnefs  and  faperiority  of  his  character  : 
To  this  I  reply ,  that  the  mind,  uyipratlicedin  deception,  can  nev- 
er be  capable  of  fufpicion  ;  and  that  not  having  hioivn  the  Euro- 
pean vices,  he  could  have  no  idea  of  their  exl/lence. 


*i  INTRODUCTION. 

//  may  alfo  be  imagined,  thai,  confidering  the  exalted  virtue  and 
refolutiwi  of  Azakia,  which  could  lead  her  even  to  death  for  the 
man,  to  whom  /be  was  controlled)  her  ready  compliance  with  the 
proportion  of  Ouabi,  and  the  joy  Jhe  evinces  on  that  occaftott, 
form  an  unpardonable  contradiction  ;  but  it  muft  be  remembered, 
that  from  the  cujioms  and  laws  of  every  country  its  manners  and 
morals  are  derived.  Azakia,  bound  to  her  hujband  by  every  tie, 
would  not  deceive  him  -}  but  when  he  exprefjed  a  wifn  to  refign 
her,  Jhe  could  have  no  idea  of  his  infmcerity  ;  fo  much  is  truth 
the  charaflerijlic  of  a  /late  of  nature  :  It  then  became  a  duty,  a 
virtue,  topurfue  the  fir Jl  wijh  of  her  heart, 

I  am  avj&re  it  may  be  confidered  improbable,  that  an  amiable 
and  polified  European  foould  attach  bimfelf  to  the  perfons  and 
manners  of  an  uncivilized  people  ;  bui  there  is  now  a  living 
injlance  of  a  like  propexfity.  A  gentleman  of  fortune^  born  in  A- 
mcrica^  and  educated  in  all  the  refinements  and  luxuries  of  Great 
Britain,  has  lately  attached  himfelf  to  a  female  favage,  in  wboi\i 
lie  finds  every  charm  I  have  given  my  Azakia  ;  and  in  confe- 
quence  of  his  inclination,  has  relinquijhtd  his  own  country  and 
connexions,  incorporated  him/elf  into  the  fociety,  and  adopted  the 
manners  of  the  virtuous,  though  uncultivated  Indian. 

Jlfany  of  the  outlines  of  the  Fable  are  taken  from  a  prof e  Jtory 
in  Mr.  Carey's  entertaining  and  injlructing  Mujeum  ;  but  as  the 
tper.ingfcene  cfthat  narrative  was  rather  deficient  in  decency,  and 
the  conclufion,  in  my  opinion,  very  little  interejling,  I  have  en- 
tirely changed  it  in  thofe  refpetts,  and  have  introduced  a  variety  of 
cujioms,  the  defcription  of  battles,  and  many  other  circumjlanccs, 
which  appeared  ejjential  to  poetry,  and  necejjary  to  the  plot ;  JliU 
I  acknowledge  my f elf  indebted  to  that  production  far  many  of  the 
events,  and  for  the  names  of  the  characters. 

Should  any  be  induced  to  think  that  I  have  given  too  many 
perfections  to  a  rude  uncultivated  favage,  let  them  read  the  fol- 
lowing 


I  N  T  R  O  D  U  C  T  I  0    to.  *3 

lrophe  Iry  a  celebrated  French  author.*  "  I  glanced 
my  eye  rapidly  over  the  fcene,  and  in  a  vaft  country,  to  us 
hitherto'  unknown,  I  faw  a  naked  Indian,  having  nothing 
but  God  and  nature  above  him,  enjoying  the  benefits  which 
offer,  without  analyfing  them.  His  body  was  fupple  and 
robuft,  his  eye  lively  and  piercing,  his  ear  attentive,  in  his 
deportment  a  certain  air  of  haughtinefs,  of  which  we  have 
no  kind  of  idea  in  our  degenerate  climate.  He  feems  even 
more  graceful  and  majeftic  when  befide  his  female  compan- 
ion, his  eye  is  milder,  his  countenance  more  ferene."  But 
the  authority  by  which  I  have  been  influenced,  and  from  which  I 
feel  myfelf juftified,  is  William  Penn,  founder  of  Pennsylvania^ 
%vhofe  manners 'and  principles  could  not  admit  of  exaggeration^  or 
extravagancy  of  exprejjton.  In  bis  letters  to  bis  friends  in  Eng- 
hnd)  he  defcribes  the  North-American  Indians  in  the  following 
terms,  u  For  their  perfons  they  are  generally  tall,  ftraight, 
well  built,  and  of  fingular  proportion  :  they  tread  ftrong 
and  clever,  and  moftly  walk  with  a  lofty  chin  :  the  thick 
3Ip  and  flat  nofe,  fo  frequent  with  the  Eaft-Indians  and 
blacks,  are  not  common  with  them ;  for  I  have  feen  as 
comely,  European-like  faces  among  them  of  both  fexes,  as 
on  your  fide  the  fea.  And  truly  an  Italian  complexion  hath 
not  much  more  of  the  white,  and  the  nofes  of  feveral  have 
as  much  of  the  Roman." 

"  They  are  great  concealers  of  their  own  refentment,  but 
in  liberality  they  excel  ;  nothing  is  too  good  for  their  friend. 
Their  government  is  by  kings  ;  every  king  has  his  COUP*- 
cil,  and  that  confifts  of  all  the  old  and  wife  men  of  his  na- 
tion ;  nothing  of  moment  is  undertaken  without  adviiing 
with  them,  and  what  is  more,  with  the  young  men  too.  It 
is  admirable  to  confider  how  powerful  their  kings  are,  and 
yet  how  they  move  by  the  breath  of  the  people.  I  hav« 

*  M.  Mercier. 


toU  INTRODUCTION. 

had  occafion  to  be  in  council  with  them  ;  while  any  one 
fpoke,  not  a  man  of  them  was  obferved  to  whifper  or  fmile^ 
the  old  grave,  the  young  reverend,  in  their  deportment ;  they 
fpeak  little,  but  fervently,  and  with  elegance  ;  I  have  never 
feen  more  natural  fagacity,  cohiidering  them  without  the 
help  (I  was  going  to  fay  the  fpoil)  of  tradition."  Sanc- 
tioned by  fitch  authorities  1  flatter  myfelf,  allowing  for  the  ju/iifi- 
able  embeltijhm'ents  of  'poetry,  that  I  Jball  not  be  confidered  an  en- 
thufiaji  in  my  defer  iptions*  The. liberal  reader  will,  Ilrujl^  make 
many  allowances  for  the  Various  imperfections  of  the  work^from. 
a  conftderation  of  my  fex  and  fituation ;  the  one  by  education  inci- 
dent to  weaknefs)  the  other  from  duty  devoted  to  domejlic  avoca- 
tions. And  I  am  induced  to  hope^  that  the  attempting  a  fubjec3 
wholly  American  will  info?ne  refpeft  entitle  me  to  the  partial  eye 
of  the  patriot  j  tbat>  as  a  young  author^  I  Jhall  be  received  with 
tendernefS)  and^  as  an  involuntary  oney  be  criticifed  ivitk  candor •* 


A  N 


CANTO   I. 


A  IS  not  the  court,  in  dazzling  fplendor  gayt 
Where  foft  luxuriance  fpreads  her  filken  arms, 
Where  gairifli  fancy  leads  the  foul  aftray, 
And  languid  nature  mourns  her  flighted  charms ; 

*Tis  not  the  golden  hill,  nor  flow'ry  dale, 
Which  lends  my  fimple  mufe  her  artlefs  theme  ; 
But  the  black  foreft  and  uncultur'd  Vale, 
The  favage  warrior,  and  the  lonely  ftream. 

B  Where 


W  i :  ^  . , :  T.H  $t  V I RT VES  o  F  NATURE. 

Where  M i  ss is  IPPI*  rolls  his  parent Jlood 

With  flope  impetuous  to  the  furgy  main, 

The  defert's  painted  chiefs  explore  the  wood, 

Or  with  the  thund'ring  war-whoop^"  fhake  the  plain. 

There  the  fierce  fachcms  raife  the  battle's  din, 

Or  in  the  dream  their  aftive  bodies  lave, 

Or  midft  the  flames  their  feaiiefs  fongs  begin J — 

PAIN  HAS  NO  TERRORS  TO  THE  TRULY  BRAV1. 

There  young  CELARIO,  Europe's  faireft  boaft, 
In  hopelefs  exile  mourn'd  the  tedious  day  ; 
Now  wandering  flowly  o'er  the  oozy  coaft, 
Now  thro  the  wild  woods  urg'd  his  anxious  way. 

Where  the  low  {looping  branch  excludes  the  light, 
A  piercing  fhriek  affail'd  his  wounded  ear ; 
Swift  as  the  winged  arrow  fpeeds  its  flight, 
He  feeks  the  piteous  harbinger  of  fear. 

There  a  tall  Huron  rais'd  his  threat'ning  arm, 
While  round  his  knees  a  beauteous  captive  clung, 
Striving  to  move  him  with  her  matchlefs  form, 

Or  charm  him  by  the  magic  of  her  tongue. 

Soon 

*  Miffifippi,  an  Indian  name,  fignifying  the  great  father  ot  rivers.  It 
is  fubjeft  to  no  tides,  but  from  its  fource  in  the  north  of  the  American 
.Continent  flows  with  rapid  force,  till  it  empties  itfelf  into  the  Gulph 
of  Mexico. 

f  War-twhoopi  the  cry  of  battle,  with  which  they  always  make  their 
•nfct. 

J  The  American  Indians,  after  exhaufting  every  fpecies  of  cruelty 
and  torture  upon  their  moft  diftinguiftied  prifoners,  burn  them  by  a 
tlifctnt  fire  5  who  expire  finging  fongs  cf  glory  and  defiance* 


THE  VIRTUES  OF  NATURE.  it 

Soon  as  Celario  view'd  the  murd'rous  fcene, 
Quick  from  his  veil  the  deathful  tube  he  drew  ; 
Its  leaden  vengeance  thunder'd  o'er  the  green, 
While  from  the  favage  hand  the  lingering  hatchet  flew. 

Low  at  his  feet  the  breathlefs  warrior  lies ; 
Still  the  foft  captive  fickens  with  alarms, 
Calls  011  OUABI's  name  with  ftreaming  eyes, 
While  the  young  victor  lives  upon  her  charms. 

Her  limbs  were  flraighter  than  the  mountain  pine, 
Her  hair  far  blacker  than  the  raven's  wing  ; 
Beauty  had  lent  her  form  the  waving*  liney 
Her  breath  gave  fragrance  to  the  balmy  fpring. 

Each  bright  perfection  open'd  on  her  face, 
Her  flowing  garment  wanton'd  in  the  breeze, 
Her  flender  feet  the  glitt'ring  fandalst  grace, 
Her  look  was  dignity,  her  movement  eafe. 

With  fplendid  beads  her  braided  treffes  fhone, 
Her  bending  waifl  a  modeft  girdle  bound, 
Her  pearly  teeth  outvi'd  the  cygnet's  down — 
She  fpoke — and  mufic  follow'd  in  the  found. 

SHE. 
Great  ruler  of  the  winged  hour,J 

AZAKI A  trembles  at  thy  pow'r  ; 

While 

*  See  Hogarth's  Line  of  Beauty. 

f  The  fandals  are  ornamented  either  with  little  gliftening  bells,  or 
with  a  great  variety  of  fhining  beads  and  feathers. 

J  It  is  prefumed  that  A-zdkla  had  never  before  feen  an  European,  or 
heard  the  report  of  a  piftol,  as  fhe  confiders  one  a  deity,  and  the  other 

his  thunder. 


2f  THE  VIRTUES  or  NATURE- 

While  from  thy  hand  the  thunders  roll, 
Thy  charms  with  lightnings  pierce  the  foul  s 
Ah  !  how  unlike  our  fable  race, 
The  fnowy  luflre  of  thy  face  ! 
That  hair  of  beaming  Cynthia*  s  hue, 
Thofe  mining  eyes  of  heav'nly  blue  ! 
Ah  !  didft  thou  leave  thy  blifsful  land, 
To  fave  me  from  the  murderer's  hand  ? 
And  is  Oudbi  ftill  thy  care, 
The  dauntlefs  chief,  unknown  to  fear  f 

HE. 

Ceafe  to  call  Oudbi's  name, 
Give  Celario  all  his  claim, 
No  divinity  is  here  : 
Spare  thy  praifes,  quit  thy  fear  : 
Bend  no  more  that  beauteous  knee, 
For  I  am  a  flave  to  thee  : 
Let  my  griefs  thy  pity  move, 
Heal  them  with  the  balm  of  love. 
Far  beyond  the  orient  main, 
By  my  rage  a  youth  was  flain ; 
He  this  daring  arm  defied, 
By  this  arm  the  ruffian  died  : 
Exil'd  from  my  native  home, 
Thro  the  defert  wild  I  roam  ; 
But  if  only  bleft  by  thee, 
All  the  defert  fmiles  on  me. 

SHE, 


THE  VIRTUES  or  NATURE.  3 

SHE. 

See  a  graceful  form  arife  !* 
Now  it  fills  my  ravifh'd  eyes, 
Brighter  than  the  morning  flar, 
'Tis  Oudbi,  fam'd  in  war  : 
Clofe  before  my  bofom  fpread, 
O'er  thy  prefence  calls  a  made, 
Full  on  him  thefe  eyes  recline, 
And  his  perfon  fhuts  out  thine. 
Let  us  to  his  home  retire, 
Where  he  lights  the  focial  fire  : 
Do  not  thro  the  defert  roam, 
Find  with  me  his  gen'rous  home  ; 
There  the  Illinois  obey 
Great  Oudbi's  chofen  fway. 

Aw'd  by  her  virtue,  by  her  charms  fubdued, 
Celario  follows  o'er  the  wid'ning  plains, 
Nor  dares  his  hopelefs  paflion  to  intrude, 
Where  conjlant  truth,  and  blefl  Oudbi  reigns. 

Now  diflant  flames  aflail  his  dazzled  eyes, 
High  as  the  clouds  the  curling  fpires  afcend, 
While  warlike  youths  in  circling  orders^  rife, 
And  midfl  the  green  with  graceful  filence  bend. 

Far 

*  The  Indian  women  of  America  are  very  chafte  after  marriage,  and 
if  any  perfon  makes  love  to  them,  they  anfwer,  "  the  Friend  that  is  be* 
fore  my  eyes,  prevents  my  feeing  you." 

f  At  their  councils  and  war-feafts  they  feat  themfelves  in  femicircles 
or  half  moons  :  the  King  or  Sachem  ftands,  or  fixes  himfelf  in  the  mid- 
dle, with  his  counfellors  on  each  fide,  according  to  their  age  and  rank. 

See  William  Penn's  letters  to  his  friends  in  England'. 


ti  **E  VIRTUES  OF  NATURE, 

Far  o'er  the  chieftains  great  Oudbi  moves, 
With  flep  majeftic  thro  the  boundlefs  plain ; 
Thus  tow'rs  the  cedar  o'er  the  willow-groves, 
Thus  ihines  bright  Cynthia  midft  her  flany  traia. 

Swift  to  his  arms  the  fond  Azdkia  flies, 

And  oft  repeats  the  fear-embelliftVd  tale  ; 

How  pointed  lightnings  ^ierc'd  her  wond'ring  eyes, 

While  the  near  thunder  broke  the  trembling  gale  ! 

Oudbi  !  form'd  by  nature's  hand  divine, 
Whofe  naked  limbs  the  fculptor's  art  defied, 
Where  nervous  flrength  and  graceful  charms  combine^ 
Where  dignity  with  fleetnefs  was  allied. 

High  from  his  head  the  painted  plumes  arofe, 
His  founding  bow  was  o'er  his  moulder  flung, 
The  hatchet,  dreadful  to  infulting  foes, 
On  the  low  branch  in  peaceful  caution  hung. 

Adown  his  ears  the  glift'ning  rings  defcend^ 
His  manly  arms  the  clafping  bracelets  bind, 
From  his  broad  cheft  the  vari'd  beads  depend, 
And  all  the  hero  tow'r'd  within  his  mind. 

His  hand  he  yielded  to  the  gentle  youth, 
Inquired  his  forrows  with  benignant  air, 
And,  kind  as  pity,  unreferv'd  as  truth, 
Sooth'd  ev'ry  grief,  and  profFer'd  ev'ry  care. 

When 


THE  VIRTUES  OF  NATURE. 

When  young  Celario>  breathing  many  a  figh, 
Difclos'd  the  warring  tumults  of  his  breaft, 
Low  on  the  ground  reclin'd  his  penfive  eye, 
While  his  perfuafive  voice  the  chief  addrefs'd. 

CELARIO. 

On  thefe  far-extended  plains, 
Truth  and  godlike  juftice  reigns  ! 
In  my  childhood's  happy  prime, 
A  warrior  from  this  weflern  clime, 
Oft  the  fleeting  day  improved, 
Talking  of  the  home  he  lov'd, 
All  thy  glowing  worth  impreft 
On  my  young  enamour'd  breaft. 
Banifh'd  from  my  native  fhore, 
Here  I  turn'd  the  ready  oar. 
Tir'd  of  fcenes,  where  crimes  beguile, 
Fond  of  virtue's  honeft  fmile, 
From  perfidious  vice  I  flee, 
And  devote  my  life  to  thee. 
Sheiter'd  in  thy  focial  cot, 
All  the  glare  of  wealth  forgot, 
Let  the  hatchet  grace  my  hand, 
Let  me  bend  to  thy  command  : 
May  Cdario  claim  thy  care, 
Lead  him  thro  the  din  of  war, 
Think  not  of  his  early  age, 
Try  him  midft  the  battle's  rae. 


OUAB 


i6  THE  VIRTUES  OF  NATURE. 


A 


OUABL 

May  the  endlefs  Source  of  Good, 
Parent  of  yon  rapid  flood, 
Strike  me  with  the  pangs  of  fear, 
Midft  the  glories  of  the  war, 
If  Oudbi  does  not  prove 
All  a  brother's  tender  love  j 
If  his  body  ceafe  to  be 
Still  a  fure  defence  to  thee  j 
If  his  life-deftroying  bow- 
Does  not  feek  thy  treach'rous  foe. 

Then  amidft  yon  chiefs  retire, 
Seated  round  the  facred  fire, 
Waiting  for  the  -warrior- feaji* 
Let  them  hail  thee  as  their  guefl : 
Mufic  reigns  with  foft  control, 
Sable  bev'rage^  fires  the  foul. 
Here  yon  rifing  orb  of  flame 
Finds  each  rolling  hour  the  fame  ; 
And  the  liar  of  ev'ning  glows 
On  each  blifs,  that  nature  knows. 


Say 


*  The  day  before  battle  the  fachems  and  warriors  meet  together,  and 
with  great  folemnity  join  in  the  war  feaft. 

f  Sable  beverage,  which  they  call  the  black  drink,  is  made  by  a  de» 
co&ion  of  certain  herbs,  and  is  fimilar  in  appearance  to  coffee  :  It  is  of 
an  exhilarating  nature,  is  prepared  by  their  warriors  or  head  men, 
and  ferved  round  at  their  councils  and  war  feafts,  with  great  folemnity 
and  devotion.  The  commiflioners  from  the  United  States  were  prc- 
fented  with  this  liquor  upon  their  introduction. 


VIRTUES  or  NATURE.  17 

Say  what  crimes  thy  realms  difgrace  ? 

Do  the  natives  fhun  the  chafe  ? 
/ 

Do  they  fear  to  bend  the  bow  ? 
Do  they  dread  the  threat'ning  foe  ? 
Yet,  if  courage  dwells  with  thee, 
Join  the  Huron  war  with  me. 

CELARIO. 

Oft  the  a  dive  chafe  they  dare, 
Oft  they  join  the  glorious  war, 
'Tis  at  home  their  vices  grow, 
There  they  yield  to  ev'ry  foe  ; 
There  unnumber'd  demons  reign, 
Led  by  TERROR,  GUILT  and  PAIN  ; 
Rajh  REVENGE,  with  eye-balls  rolling* 
Hateful  M  A  L  i  c  E,  always  fcowling, 
Bafe  DUPLICITY  deceiving, 
Cruel  SLANDER,  ftill  believing* 
INSOLENCE  to  wealth  allied, 
Rude,  unfeeling^  trampling  PRIDE* 
Prudijh  ENVY'S  ready  fneer* 
Bafe  NEGLECT  and  dajlard  FEAR* 
JEALOUSY  with  bitter  figh, 
Low  SUSPICION'S  jaundiced  eye, 
'Lying  FRAUD*  with  treach'rous  fmile, 
Hard  REPROACH,  and  MEANNESS  vile, 
A  F  F  ECT  ATI  o  N  's  fanning  form, 
PASSION,  always  in  ajlorm  ; 
Thefe  are  foes  I  leave  behind, 
Thefe  the  TRAITORS  of  the  mind, 

C  Dreadful 


i8  THE  VIRTUES  o*  NATURE. 

Dreadful  as  the  battle's  roar, 
Fearful  as  the  conq'ror's  pow'r. 

Now  for  the  war-feaft  all  the  chiefs  prepare, 
The  jetty  draught  exhaufts  the  gen'rous  bowl, 
And  the  fa  rce  dance*  fit  emblem  of  the  war, 
Swells  the  great  mind,  and  fires  the  kindling  foul. 

Tho  fongs  of  vengeance  ev'ry  breaft  infpire, 
The  peaceful  calumet'}'  fucceeds  the  feaft, 
Till  livid  glimmerings  mark  the  finking  fire, 
And  the  gem'd  ikies  proclaim  the  hour  of  reft. 

Ere  the  firfl  blufh  of  day  illumes  the  morn, 
The  chiefs,  impatient  for  the  battle,  rife  ; 
With  warlike  arms  their  coloured  limbs  adorn, 
While  glowing  valour  fparkles  in  their  eyes. 

Onward  they  move,  by  great  Oudbi  led, 
The  young  Celario  with  the  painted  train, 
Like  white  narciflus  mid  the  tulip-bed, 
Or  like  a  fwan  with  peacocks  on  the  plain. 

The  golden  ringlets  of  his  glofly  hair, 
Intwin'd  with  beads,  the  tow'ring  feathers  grace, 
No  longer  floating  to  the  am'rous  air, 
Nor  mingling  with  the  beauties  of  his  face. 

Drefs'd 

*  The  dance  is  rather  an  aft  of  devotion,  than  of  recreation,  and 
•onftitutes  a  part  of  all  their  public  ceremonies. 

Sec  William  Pcnn's  Letter.. 

t  The  calumet  is  a  highly  ornamented  pipe,  which  the  Indians  fmoke 
as  a type  of  peace  and  harmony  on  all  public  occafions, 


THE  VIRTUES  OF  NATURE.  19 

Drefs'd  like  a  fachem — o'er  his  naked  arm 
With  carelefs  eafe  reel  in*  d  his  gaudy*  bow, 
Not  bright  Apollo  boafts  fo  fair  a  form, 
Such  ringlets  never  grac'd  his  iv'ry  brow. 

On  the  far  field  the  adverfe  heroes  join, 
No  dread  artill'ry  guards  the  coward  fide  • 
But  dauntlefs  flrength,  and  courage  half  divine, 
Command  the  war,  and  form  the  conq'ror's  pride. 

Thus  before  Illion's  heav'n-defended  tow'rs, 
Her  godlike  Heftor  rais'd  his  crimfon'd  arm  ; 
Thus  great  Atrides  led  the  Grecian  pow'rs, 
And  ftern  Achilles  fpread  the  loud  alarm. 

Where  danger  threats  the  European  flies, 
Eager  to  follow  when  Oudbi  leads, 
His  feather'd  arrows  glance  along  the  flues, 
And  many  a  hero,  many  a  fachem  bleeds. 

Now  the  jftrong  hatchet  hews  whole  nations  down, 
Now  deathful  Ihow'rs  of  miffive  darts  defcend, 
The  echoing  war-whoop  drowns  the  dying  groan, 
And  Ihouts  of  vict'ry  ev'ry  bofom  rend. 

When  by  fome  hand's  unerring  force  applied, 

Flew  a  fwift  arrow  where  Cdario  flood, 

Its  darting  vengeance  pierc'd  hisguardlefs  fide, 

And  drank  the  living  current  of  his  blood. 

While 

*  Their  bows  are  ftained  with  a  great  variety  of  glaring  colours*  and 
othcrwife  ornamented.  For  a  fpecimen  fee  the  Mufeum  of  the  Umverf- 
ity  at  Cambridge. 


so  THE  VIRTUES  OF    NATURE. 

While  from  the  wound  the  barbed  fhaft  is  drawn. 
O'er  his  fair  fide  the  drops  of  crimfon  glow, 
And  feem  loft  rubies  on  a  wint'ry  lawn, 
Adding  new  luflre  to  the  filv'ry  fnow. 

The  Illinois  their  great  Oudbi  hail, 
No  more  the  foe  his  conq'ring  arm  defies  ; 
O'er  the  blue  mountain,  thro  the  thorny  vale, 
The  vi6tor  follows,  as  the  vanquifli'd  flies. 

Fatigu'd  by  flaughter,  ev'ry  chief  retires 
To  the  lov'd  folace  of  his  native  plain, 
There  ilili  regardful  of  the  f acred  fires  * 
Till  the  loud  war  awakes  his  ftrength  again. 

By  Jlavesi1  fupported  thro  the  mazy  wood, 
Cclario  gains  the  fachem's  diflant  home, 
Where  mourning  warriors  (lop  the  purple  flood, 
And  for  each  healing  flanQ  the  weedy  defert  roam. 

Atakia's 

*  It  is  a  point  of  religion  with  the  American  Indians  never  to  luffer 
their  fires  to  go  out  until  the  clofe  of  their  year,  when  they  are  totally 
extinguished,  and  others  are  kindled  by  friclion  of  certain  wood.  The 
policy  of  this  aft  of  devotion  is  evident,  as  it  not  only  indicates  to  their 
youth  the  neceflity  of  their  being  cqnftantly  ready  for  war,  but  ferves 
as  an  annual  fchool  to  inflruct  them  (in  all  cafes  of  emergency)  in  the 
method  of  railing  this  neceflary  element  into  aftion  from  the  objects  of 
nature,  which  furround  them. 

f  The  prifoners  of  inferior  rank,  taken  in  battle,  are  retained  as  flaves 
by  the  right's  of  war ;  and  this  is  the  only  kind  of  flavery  known  amongft 
them. 

%  Thefe  people  are  perhaps  the  firft  botanifts  in  the  world  ;  and  from 
their  knowledge  of  the  properties  of  plants,  according  to  William  Penn, 
have  a  remedy  for  almofl  every  difeafe,  to  which  they  are  fubjedt. 
They  have  certain  antidotes  to  all  venomous  bites,  and  it  is  laid  an  in- 
fallible cure  for  cancers. 


THE  VIRTUES  OF  NATURE.  2* 

Jlzakta's  hand  the  chymic  juice  applies, 
Her  conftant  aid  the  ftrength'ning  food  prepares, 
Her  plaintive  voice  beguiles  his  clofmgeyes, 
And  fooths  his  (lumbers  with  unceafing  prayers. 

Now  winds  his  ringlets  round  her  dufky  hand, 
And  views  the  contrail  with  enamour'd  boaft, 
Now  o'er  his  features  bends  with  accents  bland, 
'Till  ev'ry  fwimming  fenfe  in  wonder's  loft. 

Thus  the  lorn  wretch,  by  ignis  fatuus  led, 
Purfues  the  gleam  which  charms  his  lonely  way, 
Nor,  'till  deftru&ion  whelms  his  haplefs  head, 
Sufpects  the  dangers  of  the  treach'rous  ray. 

Celario  gazes  with  renew'd  defires, 
While  kindling  hopes  his  doting  bofom  move ; 
Yet  ftill  Ouabi's  worth  his  foul  infpires, 
And  much  his  virtue  flruggles  with  his  love. 

Now  each  new  day  increafing  ftrength  beftows, 
And  hisbrac'd  limbs  the  limping  ftaffrefign, 
His  humid  lip  with  rofeate  luftre  glows, 
His  lucid  eyes  with  wonted  brightnefs  ihine. 


CANTO 


THE  VIRTUES  OF  NATURE. 


CANTO    II. 


W  HAT  time  red  Sirius  fheds  his  baneful  pow'r, 
And  fades  the  verdant  beauties  of  the  grove  ; 
When  thirfty  plants  droop  for  the  cooling  fhow'r, 

not  a  leaf  the  fleeping  zephyrs  move, 


Azakia  wander'd  from  her  fultry  home, 
Amid  the  ftream  her  languid  limbs  to  lave, 
Now  on  the  fedgy  banks  delights  to  roam, 
Now  her  light  body  curls  the  mining  wave. 

While  thro  the  woods  the  fachem  chas'd  the  deer, 
Cdario  mourns  Azdkia's  long  delay, 
Oft  at  her  ab  fence  drops  th'  empaffion'd  tear, 
Counting  the  tedious  moments*  leaden  way. 

When  half  the  fcorching  day  its  courfe  had  run, 
The  wand'rer  feeks  her  lov'd  abode  again, 
Nor  thinks  how  fad  exiftence  lingers  on, 
Unfooth'd  by  love,  and  worn  by  anxious  pain. 

CeLario  greets  her  with  a  lover's  care,      t 
And  fees  new  beauties  grace  her  modeft  form, 
Repeats  his  fond  complaint,  his  late  defpair, 
And  dwells  eiiraptur'd  on  each  glowing  charm  : 


Till 


THE  VIRTUES  or  NATURE.  2$ 

Till,  quite  regardlefs  of  Oudbi's  name, 
His  yielding  foul  to  defp'rate  love  refign'd, 
Urg'd  with  infidious  voice  his  daring  flame, 
By  ev'ry  art  afTail'd  her  foften'd  mind. 

CELARIO. 

Not  bright  Hefper  beams  more  fair 
To  the  love-lorn  traveller, 
Than  thofe  eyes,  where  beauty  warms, 
Than  that  voice,  where  foftnefs  charms, 
Than  that  bofom's  gentle  fwell, 
And  thofe  lips,  where  raptures  dwell, 
To  this  faithful  heart  of  mine, 
Truly,  only,  wholly  thine. 

Now  Qiiabi  hunts  the  deer, 
Love  and  blifs  inhabit  here ; 
Here  the  downy  willows  bend, 
Elms  their  fringed  arms  extend, 
While  the  finking  fun  improves 
Ev'ry  fcene,  which  fancy  loves. 
Let  thy  heart  my  refuge  be, 
And  my  hopes  repofe  on  thee  ; 
Grant  me  all  thofe  matchlefs  charms, 
Yield  the  heav'n  within  thy  arms. 

AZAKIA. 

Does  the  turtle  learn  to  roam, 
When  her  mate  has  left  his  home  ? 
Will  the  bee  forfake  her  hive  ? 
In  the  peopled  wigwam  thrive  ? 

Can 


24  THE  VIRTUES  OF  NATURE, 

Can  Azdkia  ever  prove, 
Guardlefs  of  Oudbi's  love  ! 
While  the  Jhivcrs  from  the  tret* 
Which  the  warrior  broke  with  me. 
Straight  as  honor,  bright  as  fame, 
Have  not  felt  the  wafting  flame  ! 
Think  of  all  his  guardian  care, 
How  he  train'd  thy  fteps  to  war  ; 
How,  when  prefs'd  by  ev'ry  harm, 
Stretched  his life-prote&ing  arm; 
Rais'd  thee  from  the  trembling  ground, 
Drew  the  arrow  from  thy  wound, 
Brought  thee  to  his  peaceful  plain, 
Cloth'dthy  cheek  with  health  again  ! 

Shall  I  from  fuch  virtue  part  ? 
Muft  I  break  that  gen'rous  heart  ? 
Ev'ry  pang,  which  kills  thy  reft, 
Then  will  pierce  his  faithful  breaft, 
His  and  thine  I  cannot  be  : 
Muft  I  break  his  heart  for  thee  ? 

CELARIO. 

*  The  marriage  contract  of  the  North  American  Indians  is  not  nec- 
eflarily  during  life,  but  while  the  parties  continue  agreeable  to  each 
other.  The  ceremony  is  performed  by  their  mutually  breaking  fmall 
fnivers  or  flicks  of  wood  in  the  prefence  of  their  friends,  which  arc 
carefully  depofited  in  fome  fafe  place,  till  they  wifh  a  reparation  ;  when 
with  like  ceremony  the  flicks  are  thrown  into  the  facred  fires,  and  the 
marriage  confequently  diffolved.  Mrs.  Brooks  obferves,  that  the  great- 
eft  obftruflion  to  the  converfion  of  the  Canadian  Indians  to  chriftianiry, 
was  their  relufiar.ce  at  forming  marriages  for  life. 


THE  VIRTUES  OF  NATURE.  25 

CELARIO. 

All  the  turtle's  charms  are  thine, 
All  her  confiant  love  is  mine ; 
Ev'ry  fweet>  the  bee  beftows, 
On  thy  fragrant  bofom  grows : 
May  each  blifs  defcend  on  thee, 
Be  thy  griefs  referv'd  for  me. 

Yes !  I  mufl  thy  choice  approve ; 
Give  Oudbi  all  thy  love ; 
But  with  thee  I  cannot  flay, 
Soon,  ah !  foon  I  mufl  away, 
Where  Scioto's  waters  flow, 
Or  the  fiery  Chattaws  glow, 
Or  the  fnowy  mountains  rife, 
Frozen  by  Canadian  ikies  : 
There  for  refuge  will  I  fly 
From  the  ruin  of  that  eye? 
Yet  this  heart  with  love  will  glow 
Mid  the  northern  mountains'  fnow, 
On  the  Cha&aws'  fouthern  plain 
Feel  the  chill  of  cold  difdain. 

AZAKI A 

Why,  ungrateful  youth,  ah!  why 
Mufl  the  poor  Azdkia  die  ! 
If  you  leave  this  blifsful  plain, 
Never  fhall  we  meet  again. 
Tho'  to  great  Oudbi  true, 
Yet  this  foul  refides  with  you  5 

D  Still 


THE  VIRTUES  OF  NATURE, 

Still  will  follow  all  thy  care, 
\Vhile  the  body  wafles  to  air. 
Not  the  golden  fource  of  light, 
Not  the  filver  queen  of  night, 
Not  the  placid  morning  dream, 
Not  the  tree-refle&ing  ftream, 
Ever  can  a  charm  difplay, 
When  thy  heav'nly  form's  away, 


E'en  while  (he  fpake  the  great  Ouabi 
Celario'  s  cheek  betrays  the  confcious  glow; 
But  chafte  Azdkia,  pure  from  ev'ry  fhame, 
Nor  checks  her  tears,  nor  hides  her  blamelefs  woe, 

With  foften'd  accent,  and  expreffive  eye, 
The  faultlefs  chief  regards  her  qwiv'ring  fear, 
His  gentle  voice  repels  the  fwelling  figh, 
His  fond  endearment  flops  the  rolling  tear. 

Celario  liflens  with  averted  mien, 
Struck  to  the  foul,  by  fecret  guilt  opprefs'd, 
In  fullen  filence  wanders  round  the  green, 
While  the  foft  forrower  all  her  grief  expre&'cL 

AZAKIA. 

Far  from  Azdkia's  kindly  eyes 
The  lov'd,  the  loft  Celario  flies  : 
For  other  friends  defires  to  roam, 
And  fcorns  Oudbi's  lib'ral  home  f 

OUABI 


THE  VIRTUES  OF  NATURE, 

OUABI. 

Dear  youth,  by  bounteous  nature  bleft, 
fhou  chofen  brother  of  my  bread, 
What  other  friends  can  claim  thy  care, 
For  who  can  hold  thee  half  fo  dear ! 
Does  not  the  chain  of  friendfhip  bind 
Thy  virtues  with  Oudbi's  mind  ! 
And  this  warm  heart's  expanding  flame, 
Still  kindle  at  Celario's  name  ! 
My  faithful  warriors  all  are  thine, 
And  all  thy  treach'rous  foes  are  mine. 
Perhaps  fome  wrong,  thy  foul  difdains, 
Difgufts  thee  to  thefe  hated  plains; 
By  yon  bright  ruler  of  the  fkies, 
The  wretch,  who  wrong'd  thee,  furely  dies. 

The  ftrength'ned  foe  their  arms  prepare, 
Tomorrow  leads  me  to  the  war; 
This  night  we  claim  thee,  as  a  gueft, 
To  join  the  facred  warrior-feaft. 
While  danger  all  my  fteps  attend, 
Let  mild  Azdkia  find  a  friend, 

CELARIO. 

Native  reaforis  piercing  eye, 
Melting  pity's  tender  figh, 
Changelefs  -virtue's  living  flame, 
Meek  contentment,  free  from1  blame, 
Op  en  friend/hip's  gen'rous  care, 

EV'RY  BOON  OF  LIFE  is  HERE! 

Yet 


THE  VIRTUES  OF  NATURE. 

Yet  this  heart,  to  grief  a  prey, 
Loaths  the  morning's  purple  ray, 
And  the  azure  hour  of  reft 
Plants  a  fcorpion  in  my  breaft ; 
But  I'll  with  thee  to  the  war, 
Only  folace  for  my  care  : 
Tho*  I  cannot  heave  the  blow,  -j 
Yet  will  bend  the  fupple  bow,     f 
Fatal  to  the  flying  foe.  J 


Yes  !  and  that  great,  undaunted  mind, 
With  equal  ftrength  and  vigor  join  'd, 
Would  lead  thee  with  regardlefs  hafte 
Thro'  yon  illimitable  wafte ; 
But  yet  thy  wounded  body  fpare, 
Unfit  to  meet  the  toils  of  war ; 
Unfit  the  ambufh'd  chiefs  to  find, 
To  follow  fwifter  than  the  wind, 
Or,  if  by  num'rous  foes  fubdued, 
To  fly  within  the  tangling  wood: 
With  my  Azdkia  then  remain, 
'Till  her  lov'd  warrior  comes  again. 

Thus  great  Quabi  fooths   with  gentle  care 
The  guilty  anguifh  of  Celario's  breaft, 
Diflfuades  his  purpofe  from  the  coming  Var,, 
And  calms  his  ftormy  paflions  into  reft. 

Now 


THE  VIRTUES  OF  NATURE.  29 

Now  the  brave  hero  feeks  the  diftant  foe, 
And  leads  his  warriors  with  unequall'd  grace, 
Adorn'd  with  paint  their  martial  bodies  glow, 
A  firm,  unconquer'd,  unforgiving*  race* 

Such  as  when  JULIUS  fought  Britannia's  plain, 
Withfearlefs  ftep  approach'd  her  penfile  fhore, 
Whofe  naked  limbs  the  varying  colours  ftain, 
Who  dare  the  war,  and  fcorn  the  conq'ror's  pow'r. 

Mean  time  Azdkia  for  her  fachem  mourns, 
Her  troubled  heart  to  ceafelefs  pangs  refign'd ; 
Now  to  Qelqrio's  ardent  love  returns, 
Now  native  virtue  brightens  in  her  rnind. 

Unbending  honor  gains  her  fpotlefs  breafl ; 
Forms  the  refolve  to  guard  his  fatal  charms, 
To  feek  fome  nymph  with  radiant  beauty  blefl, 
To  win  his  love,  and  grace  his  envi'd  arms.   • 

On  the  young  ZISMA  all  her  hopes  repofe, 
Who  next  herfelf  adorn 'd  the  peopled  glade  ; 
Like  the  green  bud  beneath  the  op'ning  rofe,t 

With  bright  Azdkia  fhone  the  riling  maid. 

To 

*  Revenge  is  a  principle,  in  which  they  are  very  careful  to  educate 
their  young  warriors,  confidering  it  one  of  their  firft  virtues ;  yet  this 
revenge  is  rather  a  deliberate  fentiment  of  the  mind,  than  a  ra(h  cbul- 
litioa  of  pafilon  ;  for  they  fuppofe  that  a  man  who  always  feels  a  difpo- 
fition  to  punifh  injuries,  will  not  be  readily  inclined  to  commit  them. 

Sec  Win.  Pt-nn's  Letters. 

f  Azukia  is  fuppofed  to  be  ftill  in  extreme  youth,  as  among  the  In- 
dians the  women  contract  marriage  at  the  age  of  fourteen,  and  the 
men  at  feventeen. 

Wm.  Penn'j  Letters. 


go  THE  VIRTUES  OF  NATURE, 

To  the  fair  ftranger  gentle  Zifma  flies, 
Prevents  each  wifh,  each  luxury  prepares, 
Dwells  on  his  beauties  with  unweari'd  eyes, 
And  lures  with  iiren  voice  his  froward  cares. 

Much  he  admires,  and  much  his  foul  approves ; 
But  when  was  love  by  frigid  prudence  fwa^'d  ! 
In  the  torn  breaft,  which  burning  paffion  moves^ 
Can  the  cold  law  of  reafon  be  obey'd ! 

Still  to  Azdkia  all  his  thoughts  retire, 
Her  flender  form,  her  love-exciting  face, 
Her  gentle  voice,  each  tremb'ling  nerve  infpire. 
And  ev'ry  fmile  robs  Zifma  of  a  grace. 

Oft  tears  of  tranfport  from  his  eyes  diflil, 
Oft  rays  of  hope  thro*  darkening  forrows  beam, 
Now  at  her  feet  the  fubjeft  of  her  will, 
Now  wild  as  loud  Ontario's  rufhing  flream. 


CANTO 


VIRTUES  OF  MATURE.  31 


CANTO    HI. 


J  UST  as  the  fun  awak'd  the  dewy 
And  rofe  refplendent  from  his  wat'ry  bed, 
When  vari'd  tints  the  heav'nly  arch  adorn, 
And  o'er  the  meads  enamell'd  radiance  fpread, 

At  the  far  limits  of  the  fpangled  lawn 
A  ghaftly  figure  iffued  from  the  wood, 
Writhing  with  anguifh,  like  the  wounded  fawn, 
Cover'd  with  darts,  and  ftain'd  with  clotted  blood* 

Azdkia*$  bofom  fweDs  with  boding  woes, 

Yet  to  his  aid  the  fweet  confoler  flies, 

On  his  parch'd  lips  the  cooling  draught  bellows, 

Binds  his  deep  wounds,  and  fooths  his  laboured  fighs. 

When  his  faint  voice,  and  wafted  ftrength  returns, 
Oft  he  attempts,  oft  quits  the  fearful  tale, 
'Till  the  fad  lift'ner  all  her  forrow  learns, 
Whelm'd  in  dumb  grief,  with  chilling  terrors  pale, 

Too  foon,  alas  !  his  broken  accents  (how, 
How  the  great  chief  approach'd  the  fatal  plain, 
Tho*  nations  fell  beneath  his  nervous  blow, 
O'erpow'r'dby  numbers  funk  amidft  the  (lain. 

One 


32  THE  VIRTUES  OF  NATURE. 

One  equal  fate  the  victor-foes  impart, 
For  thepurt  town*  in  vain  the  vanquifh'd  bend, 
The  vengeful  tomahawk^  and  hurtling  dart, 
Down  to  the  ihades  the  haplefs  heroes  fend. 

While  this  alone,  of  all  the  routed  train, 
From  purple  heaps,  where  dying  fachems  lay, 
To  feek  the  lov'd  Azdkia's  peaceful  plain, 
Had  turn'd  his  fad,  dark,  folitary  way. 

On  the  far  field  while  great  Oudbi  lies, 
Breathlefs  and  low  amid  the  glorious  dead^ 
No  friendly  hand  to  clofe  the  warrior's  eyes, 
And  fhield  the  plumy  honours^  of  his  head, 

Ungovern'd  rage  the  young  Celario  fires, 
He  fcorns  his  wounds,  forgets  the  nymph  he  loves ; 
Revenge  is  all  his  fwelling  bread  defires, 
Revenge  alone  his  furious  foul  approves. 

In  Zifma's  arms,  of  wafting  grief  the  prey, 

The  widow'd  mourner  courts  the  mitr d'rous  dream§ 

Shuns  the  red  fplendor  of  the  rifing  day, 

The  moon's  pale  radiance,  and  the  (haded  dream. 

Not 

*  The  pure  or  ivbite  towns  are  places  of  refuge,  in  which  no  blood  is 
ever  permitted  to  befpilt ;  even  criminals  are  there  protected. 

f  The  tomahawk  is  a  fmall  hatchet,  with  a  long  handle,  which  is 
thrown  at  the  enemy  with  fuccefs  at  a  great  diftance  ;  it  is  particularly 
fatal  in  a  purfuit. 

J  "  Plumy  honours,"  alluding  to  their  practice  of  fcalping. 

^  It  isfaid  to  have  been  anciently  a  cuftom  among  the  Indians,  if  in 
the  fpace  of  forty  days,  a  woman,  who  had  loft  her  hufband,  law  and 
converfed  with  him  twice  in  a  dream,  to  infer  from  thence,  that  he  re- 
quired her  prefence  in  the  land  of  fpirits ;  and  nothing  could  difpenfe 
with  her  pntting.heiTelf  to  death. 


VIRTUES  OF  NATURE,  33 

KTot  deeper  anguifh  rends  the  promis'd  bride, 
if  death  relentlefs  lifts  his  ebon  dart, 
And  tears  her  youthful  lover  from  her  fide^ 
Juft  when  hope  warm'd,  and  pleafure  fir'd  the  heart. 

Now  brave  Cdarib  feeks  his  fcatter'd  friends, 
Who  raife  new  pow'rs,  and  neighboring  tribes  obtain, 
Along  the  darkened  green  the  hoft  extends, 
Breathing  revenge,  and  undifmay'd  by  pain. 

For  the  young  champion  all  their  voices  rife 
He  can  alone  their  glorious  chief  fucceed, 
Who  erft,  beneath  that  matchlefs  fachem's  eyes, 
Could  greatly  conquer,  and  could  nobly  bleed. 

Ere  he  departs  Azdkia  claims  his  care, 
The  youthful  Zifma  at  her  fide  he  found, 
While  plung'd  in  grief,  the  viftim  of  defpaji*, 
The  lovely  fuff'rer  prefs'd  the  turfy  ground. 

In  her  cold  hand  the  fatal  draught  was  borne, 
Of  deadly  Cytron's*  pois'nous  root  composed, 
While  many  a  tear,  and  many  a  lengthen'd  groan, 
The  purpofe  of  her  Heady  foul  difclos'd. 

AZAKIA. 
When  angry  fpirits  make  the  flues, 

And  'gairift  the  good  the  bdd  arife,t 

The 

*  The  root  of  the  North- American  cytron  tree,  commonly  called  the 
-candle  ivood,  produces  a  juice  of  a  moft  deadly  poifon. 

f  The  American  Indians  believe,  that  an  cclipfe  of  the  fun  is  occa- 
fioned  by  a  contention  between  the  good  and  evil/fpirit ;  and  as  light 
finally  prevails,  they  fappoie  the  good  fpirit  is  always  victorious, 

E 


34  THE  VIRTUES  OF  NATURE. 

The  golden  orb,  which  lights  the  day, 
Withdraws  its  clear  refulgent  ray, 
'Till  GOODNESS  gains  his  native  throne, 
And  hurls  the  pow'r  of  darknefs  down. 
Then  (runes  the  FLAMING  ORB  more  clear, 
More  ardent  fplendors  gild  the  year. 
Thus  would  this  fenfual  form  control 
The  glory  of  th'  immortal  foul ; 
Would  all  the  charms  of  light  forego, 
And  chain  it  to  the  gloom  of  woe  ; 
But  foon  th'  unequal  conteft  ends, 
Soon  the  pure  foul  to  blifs  afcends, 
While  thro'  the  realms  of  endlefs  day 
Oudbi  fpreads  his  brightened  ray. 

Lafl  night  the  beaming  warrior  came, 
Envelop'd  in  furrounding  flame, 
Stretch'd  his  heroic  arms  to  me, 
And  rais'd  this  loit'ring  heart  from  thee; 
If  once  again  he  greets  my  light, 
And  calls  me  to  the  realms  of  light, 
This  killing  draught  will  waft  me  o'er 
The  terrors  of  the  win' try  Jhore, 
To  wander  midft  the  blifsful  train, 
And  meet  the  fearlefs  chief  again. 

CELARIO; 

How  can  the  dead  approach  thy  fight ! 
Who  guides  them  thro'  the  (hades  of  night! 
Would  that  bright  foul  its  blifs  refign, 

To  give  a  lading  (lab  to- mine! 

How 


THE  VIRTUES  OF  NATURE,  35 

How  could  the  wretch,  who  caus'd  thy  pain, 
Know  when  the  glorious  chief  was  (lain  ? 
Perhaps,  the  victors'  triumph  made, 
He  mourns  beneath  the  filent  (hade, 
Or  the  flow  tortures  flrive  in  vain 
His  great,  unconquer'd  mind  to  gain  : 
This  daring  arm  lhall  fet  him  free, 
Pledge  but  thy  facred  oath  to  me, 
By  all  the  fhining  pow'rs  above, 
By  thy  Celario's  conflant  love, 
'Till  great  Oudbi's  fate  is  known, 
Thou  wilt  not  dare  to  touch  thy  own* 
The  foe  an  eafy  prey  will  be, 
Now  lull'd  to  calm  fecurity  : 
Surprize  will  feize  the  guardlefs  train, 
And  fnatch  the  warrior-chief  from  pain. 

A  Z  A  K  I  A 

Then  by  the  ruler  of  the  fides, 
By  young  Celario's  heav'nly  eyes, 
By  the  foft  lave,  thofe  eyes  exprefs, 
By  all  his  varied  pow'rs  to  blefs, 
His  hopelefs  tear,  impaffion'd  figh, 
And  look  of  fpeechlefs  fympathy, 
Witnefs  ye  fpirits  of  the  dead, 
That  hover  round  this  widow'd  head, 
The  fatal  bowl  I  will  not  drain, 
'Till  the  young  warrior  comes  again, 
Or  'till  to  great  Oudbi's  ihade 

The  fad  fepukhral  rites  are  paid. 

Charm' d 


36  THE  VIRTUES  or  NATURE, 

Ch^rm'd  by  her  accents,  from  her  fight  he  fpeedss 
Swift  as  the  falcon  darting  on  the  prey, 
With  the  red  train*  in  eager  hafle  proceeds, 
And  fires  their  courage,  as  he  leads  their  way, 

Soon  as  they  gain  the  region  of  the  foe, 
Some  he  directs  the  ambufh'd  path  to  guide, 
Some  with  ftrong  force  to  heave  the  fudden  blow, 
And  fome  to  bear  the  captur'd  chiefs  afide. 

Return'd  from  conqueft,  and  to  eafe  refign'd, 
Th'  inyade'd  tribe  their  hafty  arms  regain, 
In  ev'ry  ftep  an  ^nftant  death  to  find, 
Or  the  fad  profpectof  a  life  of  pain. 

In  vain  Celario  checks  the  favage  hand, 
The  helplefs  mother  with  her  infant  dies,t 
Revenge  infpires  his  unforgiving  band, 
'Till  all  one  heap  of  defolation  lies. 

Now  to  the  town  they  urge  {heir  rapid  way, 
With  equal  fpeed  the  routed  foe  retires, 
There  in  the  midfl  a  tortur'd  warrior  lay, 
Daring  the  fury  of  the  raging  fires. 

His  mangled  form  the  tort'.rers  pow'r  defies, 
His  changelefs  voice  the  fong  of  death  had  fung, 
No  tear  of  pain  pollutes  his  fteady  eyes, 

No  cry  of  mercy  trembles  on  his  tongue. 

DEATH 

*  The  Indians  ftile  themfelves  "  The  red  people ." 

f  Thefe  people  make  it  a  principle  to  fpare  neither  the  wives  nor 
children  of  their  enemies  ;  but,  like  the  patriarchs  of  old,  endeavour  te 
cxtirnate  the  whole  race. 


THE  VIRTUES  or  NATURE.  37 

DEATH  SONG. 

REAR'D  midjl  the  war-empurpled  plain^ 
What  Illinois  fubmits  to  PAIN  / 
How  can  the  glory-darting  fire 
The  coward  chill  of  death  infpire  ! 

The  fun  a  blazing  heat  bejiows, 

The  moon  midjl  penfive  evening  glows, 

Thejlars  infparkling  beauty  Jhine, 

And  own  their  FLAMING  SOURCE  divine. 

Then  let  me  hail  th*  IMMORTAL  FIRE, 
And  in  the  facred  flames  expire  ; 
Nor  yet  thofe  Huron  hands  rejlrain  ; 
This  bofomf corns  the  throbs  of  fain. 

No  griefs  this  warrior-foul  can  bow, 
No  pangs  contracl  this  even  brotu  ; 
Not  all  your  threats  excite  a  fear, 
Not  all  your  force  can  Jl art  a  tear. 

Think  not  with  me  my  tribe  decays, 
More  glorious  chiefs  the  hatchet  raife; 
Not  unrevcng'd  their  fachem  dies, 
Not  unattended  greets  thefkies. 

felario  liflens  with  the  ear  of  care, 
His  finking  limbs  their  wonted  aid  refufe, 
He  calls  his  warriors  with  diftra&ed  air, 
Whofe  ready  hands  the  fuff'ring  victim  loofe. 

Aimirid 


38  *HE  VIRTUES  OF  NATURE. 

Around  his  feet  the  young  deliv'rer  clings ; 
It  is  Ouabi  !  greateft !  firft  of  iften ! 
The  fong  of  death  the  dauntlefs  fachem  fings, 
Yet  clafps  his  lov'd  Celario  once  agen. 

Thro'  the  deep  wood  they  feek  the  healing  balm, 

Weep  on  his  hand,  or  at  his  feet  deplore  ; 

Ah  !  how  unlike  Oudbi's  glorious  form ! 

NOW  galh'd  with  wounds,,  and  bath'd  in  dreams  of  gor 

Snatch'd  from  the  wilh'd  oblivion  of  the  field^ 
Subjected  to  the  vicjor's  hard  decree, 
Struck  by  his  form,  their  iron  bofoms  yield, 
They  grant  a  life  deprived  of  liberty. 

Th'  indignant  chief  the  proffer'd  boon  difdains, 
Defies  their  rage,  and  fcorns  their  threat'ning  ire. 
Demands  the  tortures,  and  their  rending  pains. 
The  lingering  anguilh  of  the  tardy  fire. 

The  Death  Song  echo'd  thro'  the  hollow  wood,, 
Jufl  when  Celario  led  his  warrior-train, 
Th'  affrighted  foe  difcard  the  work  of  blood, 
And  fly  impetuous  o'er  the  arid  plain. 

Thus  when  a  carcafe  clogs  tjie  op'ning  vale, 
And  birds  of  prey  in  prowling  circles  throng, 
If  forne  fierce  hound  approach  the  tainted  gale, 

He  drives  the  wild  relentlefs  brood  along. 

Pale 


THE  VIRTUES  OF  NATURE. 

Pale  horror  flalks,  and  fwift  deftru6tion  reigns, 
Carnage  and  death  pollute  the  ruin'd  glade, 
'Till  nature's  weari'd  arm  a  refpite  gains, 
When  night  pacific  fp  reads  her  fable  (hade. 


CANTO 


THE   VIRTUES  o*   NATURE. 


CANTO    IV. 


WHILE  the  bent  foreft  drops  the  chryftal  tearj 
And  frozen  HURON  chills  thefhorten'd  day, 
'Till  the  young  fpring  reftor'd  the  bloffom'd  year^ 
Rack'd  by  difeafe  the  patient  fachem  lay. 

O'er  his  pierc'd  limbs>  and  lacerated  form, 
Celario  binds  the  health-reftoring  leaf, 
And  guards  bis  flumbers  from  furrounding  harrrij 
With  all  the  filent  eloquence  of  grief. 

'Till  fov'reign  nature,  and  benignant  art, 
Revive  each  nerve,  each  weaken'd  fibre  brace^ 
And  ev'ry  charm,  that  health  and  youth  impart^ 
Glows  in  his  veins,  and  brightens  in  his  face. 

Still  to  his  love,  Celario' s  heart  returns, 

Full  oft  he  mourns  her  life-opprefling  woe, 

'Till  great  Ouati  all  his  foul  difcerns, 

And  views  the  fource,  from  whence  his  forrows  flow, 

In  penlive  thought  he  treads  the  fenny  meads, 
While  for  his  native  home  they  bend  their  way, 
Light  as  the  air  each  hurried  flep  proceeds, 
Throf  the  flow  moments  of  the  ling'ring  day : 

•fill 


THE  VIRTUES  or  NATURE.  41 

'Till  time,  .whom  happy  lovers  form'd  with  wings, 
To  his  own  plains  the  matchlefs  chief  reftores ; 
Around  his  neck  the  wild  Azdkia  clings, 
Now  weeps,  now  joys,  now  bleffes,  now  deplores. 

Another  dream  had  rack'd  her  fleeplefs  mind, 
Where  the  great  hero  chid  her  long  delay, 
While  all  her  tortur'd  breaft,  to  death  relign'dj 
Reproached  the  European's  faithlefs  flay. 

The  chief  returns  iri  all  his  native  grace, 

Tho*  mark'd  with  wounds,  andfear'd  with  many  a  fear, 

Vet  rbanly  charms  adorn  his  open  face, 

Still  form'd  to  lead  and  guide  the  glorious  war. 

Celario  gazes  with  unfated  eye, 
While  down  his  cheek  the  tears  of  rapture  flow, 
His  melting  boforri  heaves  the  breathing  figh, 
And  riling  cares  contract  his  polifh/d  brow. 

Not  unobferv'd  the  ne&ar'd  figh  afcends^ 
Nor  yet  in  vain  the  tears  of  fondnefs  roll. 
With  foften'd  look  the  gen'rous  fachem  bends, 
While  heav'nly  muiic  fpeaks  his  yielding  foul* 

O  U  A  B  I. 

In  freedom  born,  to  glory  bred, 
Yet  like  a  daftard  captive  led, 
When  funk  in  bleft  oblivious  night, 
RaiVd  to  the  forrows  of  the  light, 

F  The 


42  THE  VIRTUES  OF  NATURE. 

The  life,  I  fcorn'd,  they  bafely  gave. 

And  dar'd  to  claim  me  as  a  flave, 

To  threat  me  with  the  darts  of  pain, 

Tho  born  o'er  glorious  chiefs  to  reign  ; 

But,  taught  Oudbi's  foul  to  know, 

They  fought  to  bend  that  foul  with  woe, 

By  vari'd  tortures  vainly  drove 

This  heav'n-direfted  eye  to  move, 

When  like  a  God  Celario  came, 

And  fnatch'd  me  from  the  piercing  flame. 

From  thee  this  arm  its  ftrength  receives, 

By  thee  this  form  in  freedom  lives  $ 

By  thee  was  bright  Azdkia's  breath, 

Twice  refcu'd  from  the  blafl  of  death ; 

Each  time  a  greater  bleffing  gave 

Than  twice  Oudbi's  life  to  fave  5* 

As  he  alone  her  love  deferves, 

Whofe  pow'r  her  riiatchlefs  charmS  preferveSj 

That  love,  thofe  charms,  1  now  relign, 

With  ev'ry  blifs,  that  once  was  mine. 

Since  all  htr  mind  thy  worth  approves, 

And  all  thy  foul  her  beauty  loves, 

This  grateful  heart  that  hand  bellows, 

Which  not  to  fhuji  a  life  of  woes, 

Which 

*  Ouabl  does  not  fimply  mean  to  compliment  Azakla  in  this  expref- 
fion,  but  alludes  to  a  cuftom  of  his  country,  which  in  mo'ft  cafes  admits 
the  payment  of  a  fine,  as  an  expiation  for  murder.  If  the  deceafed  be 
a  ewotnant  the  fine  is  double ;  and  the  reafon  they  give  for  this  partiality 
for  that  fex,  i$>  that  they  are  capable  of  bringing  warriors  to  the  nation* 

See  Win.  Penn's  Letters. 

ThtslaW  of  expiating  murder  by  pecuniary  compenfation  has,  I  be- 
Here,  been  obferved  by  every  uncivilized  nation  upon  earth. 


THE  VIRTUES  OF  NATURE.  4$ 

Which  not  to  gain  undying  fame, 
To  fave  me  from  the  Hurons*  flame, 
Would  this  fond  bleeding  bread  refign, 
Or  yield  to  any  worth  but  thine. 

CELARIO. 

Firfl  mall  the  fun  forget  to  lave 
His  bright  beams  in  the  red'ning  wave, 
The  Pleiades  mall  forfake  their  fphere,* 
And  midft  the  blaze  of  noon  appear, 
Or  cold  Bootes'  car  mail  roll 
In  fultry  fplendor  round  the  pole, 
E*e  thy  Celario  hails  the  day, 
In  which  he  tears  thy  foul  away. 

Tho'  late — with  pointed  grief  I  fee, 
And  own  my  black'ning  crimes  to  thec. 
When  torn  by  woes,  by  cares  opprefs'd, 
You  clafp'd  me  to  that  fhelt'ring  breaft, 
Forbade  my  exil'd  fteps  to  roam, 
And  led  me  to  this  gcn'rous  home : 
Regardlefs  of  thy  facred  fame, 
I  dar'd  to  u*ge  my  guilty  flame ; 
Tho'  to  that  arm  my  life  was  due, 
And  ev'ry  blifs  deriv'd  from  you, 

By 

*  Celario  will  not  be  confidered  as  addreffing  the  favage  in  too  phi- 
lofophical  language,  when  it  is  remembered  that  people  in  a  hunting 
flate  are  neceflarily  acquainted  with  the  different  ftars  and  planets,  to 
aid  their  courfe  in  their  excurfions  from,  and  returns  to,  their  places  of 
rafidence.  As  no  images  can  with  propriety  be  taken  from  cujture  or 
civil  fociety  in  the  dialogues,  I  am  under  the  neceflity  of  frequently 
repe.ating  the  moil  ftriking  objects  of  nature. 


44  THE  VIRTUES  OF  NATURE. 

By  each  perfidious  art  I  drove 
To  win  the  bright  Az dkia's  love, 
With  ceafelefs  paflion  fought  to  gain 
Her  heav'nly  charms — but  fought  in  vain. 
Yet  will  the  wand' ring  traitor  go 
To  diftant  plains,  to  realms  of  woe, 
5 Till  abfenee  from  his  breaft  remove 
The  tortures  of  his  impious  love, 
'Till  time  with  healing  on  his  wing 
Shall  peace  and  foft  oblivion  bring. 

OUABI. 

Yes !  in  thy  guilty  deeds  I  trace 
The  crimes  which  flill  thy  realms  difgrace ; 
But  my  Celario,  yet  I  find 
Each  native  worth  adorns  thy  mind ; 
For  heav'nly  beaming  TRUTH  is  there, 
Of  open  brow  and  heart  fincere  ! 

No  daring  vice  could  e'er  control 
Azdkia's  unpolluted  foul. 
Born  amidft  virtue's  favor'd  race, 
Her  mind  as  faultlefs  as  her  face, 
Vain  muft  each  daring  effort  prove. 
That  uncorrupted  breaft  to  move  ; 
For  on  the  pure  tranflucid  ftream 
In  vain  the  midnight  lightnings  beam, 
It  lifts  its  bofom  to  the  day, 
Unfullied  as  the  folar  ray. 


THK  VIRTUES  or  NATURE.  45 

Yet  have  I  fworn  by  yon  fwift  flood, 
And  by  this  cloud- envelop 'd  wood. 
Ne'er  in  thefe  war-devoted  arms 
To  clafp  again  her  matchlefs  charms, 
Nor  yet  thefe  eyes  to  fleep  refign, 
*Till  all  thofe  matchlefs  charms  are  thine. 

The  youthful  Zifma's  conftant  fmile 
Will  ev'ry  rifmg  grief  beguile. 
The  fhivers  from  the  lofty  tree, 
The  gentle  rnaid  will  break  with  me: 
In  time  her  rip'ning  form  and  face 
Will  bloom  with  all  Azdkia's  grace. 

But  for  the  war  this  foul  was  made, 
I  fcorn  the  peace-encircled  (hade  ; 
Revenge  recals  me  to  the  plain, 
To  meet  the  Huron  foe  again. 
No  friendly  calumet  fhall  glow, 
1^  of  now-white  plume*  pafs  o'er  the  brow, 
'Till  in  one  blaze  of  ruin  hurPd, 
I  fink  them  to  the  nether  world  : 
Revenge  mail  every  torment  eafe, 
And  e'en  the  parted  foul  appeafe. 

Azdkia 

*  Their  mode  of  making  peace  is,  previous  to  fmoking  the  friendly 
calumet,  for  the  fachem  or  head-warrior  to  advance  with  a  ivhiteplume^ 
in  the  form  of  a  fan,  towards  the  ambafTadors  of  the  rival  nation,  and 
to  draw  it  lightly  over  their  foreheads  ;  meaning  to  indicate,  that  from 
that  moment  all  former  animofities  are  wiped  away,  and  all  parted  in- 
juries configned  to  oblivion.  The  luhitenefs  of  the  plume  being  emble- 
matical of  the  purity  of  their  intentions  in  the  treaty  they  are  forming; 


4$  THE  VIRTUES  OF  NATURE, 

Azdkla  hears  the  changelefs  chief's  reply, 
Now  warm'd  with  hope,  now  chill'd  with  icy  fear, 
Nor  dares  to  meet  him  with  her  fwimming  eye, 
Her  lab* ring  breath,  and  foul-entrancing  care. 

Tho'  the  fam'd  warrior  rul'd  her  faithful  mind, 
The  young  Celario  ev'ry  paflion  mov'd ; 
E^en  to  his  faults  her  doting  heart  inclin'd— 
Oudbi  was  too  godlike  to  be  lov'd. 

While  the  foft  Zifma  learns  the  fix'd  decree, 
In  modeft  filence  and  in  pleas'd  furprife, 
To  the  great  fachem  bends  her  willing  knee 
With  grateful  fmiles,  and  rapture-glancing  eye*. 

In  vain  Cdario  pleads  his  alter'd  breaft, 

No  Illinois  his  facred  word  recals ; 

'Tis  fix'd — the  young  deliverer  fhall  be  bleft— 

The  flames  afcend — the  branching  cedar  falls. 

Ere  the  day  clofe  the  folemn  rites  begin, 
The  broken  fhivers  feed  the  hungry  blaze ; 
While  the  new  fpire$  adorn  the  focial  green, 
And  the  wild*  mufic  joins  the  fong  of  praife, 

To  his  wrapt  foul  Cdario  clafps  his  bride, 
Thinks  it  a  dream,  fome  fweet  delufive  charm  ; 
Wonder  and  joy  his  beating  breaft  divide, 
Dart  from  his  eyes,  and  ev'ry  accent  warm. 

Thus 

*  The  mufic  of  the  Indians,   tho'  of  a  wild  and  inharmonious  kin^ 
is  introduced  at  all  their  public  fcftivals  and  folcranities. 


VIRTUES  or  NAtURE.  47 

Thus  the  young  hero  from  vi£lorious  war, 
While  the  throng'd  city  fwells  the  full  acclaim, 
Forgets  each  bleeding  friend,  each  ghaftly  fear. 
And  ev'ry  breeze^wafts  pleafure,  wealth  and  fame. 

Oudbi>  Hill  in  matchlefs  worth  array 'd, 
Betrays  no  grief,  ho  foft,  repentant  figh ; 
But  like  a  parent  guards  the  timid  maid, 
And  claims  her  friendship  with  his  afking  eye. 

Her  (lender  limbs  the  matron-garb  adorn, 
Her  locks  no  more  in  bright  luxuriance  flow, 
From  her  fmooth  brow  the  maiden  -veil*  is  drawn^ 
And  glift'ning  beads  in  rainbow-beauty  glow. 

Joy  reigns,  and  pleafure  lights  the  fmiling  fcene, 
The  graceful  feet  in  rnazy  circles  rove, 
While  mufic  warbles  o'er  the  peopled  green, 
And  wafts  the  fond  Impaflion'd  breath  of  love. 

Swift  flies  the  funny  morn,  that  gilds  the  fpring, 
Sboft  is  the  fhow'r,  which  bathes  the  fummer  day, 
But  fwifter  ft  ill  gay  pleafure's  tranfient  wing, 
With  fleeter  hafte  contentment,  glides  away ! 

E'en  while  delight  expands  each  winning  charm, 
Thro'  the  wide  plain  the  fhrieks  of  fright  arife  ; 
The  gentle  Zifma  fwells  the  loud  alarm, 
Her  great,  her  lov'd  Oudbi  falls — he  dies  ! 

OH 

*  Tlje  unmarried  women  wear  a  kind  of  cap,  or  veil,  on  their  heads, 
which  is  takon  off  at  the  marriage  ceremony.  \W"illiam  Psnn's  Letters.} 
Te  this,  it  is  fa-id,  fuecceds  a  circle  ef  beads  of  varictis  colours 


48  THE  VIRTUES  OF  NATURE. 

OH  THOU,  whofe  feeling  heart,  and  ready  figb, 
On  ev'ry  grief  foft  fympathy  be  flow, 
Here  turn  thy  bleft,  benignant,  melting  eye, 
Here  let  the  tears  of  full  compaffion  flow  ! 

Down  at  his  feet  the  loft  Azdkia  lies, 

Her  pale  Cdario  parts  the  preffing  throng, 

Th'  immortal  warrior  lifts  his  darkened  eyes, 

And  the  chok'd  words  fall  quiv'ring  from  his  tongue 


bUABL 

.  To  realrris  where  godlike  valour  reigns^ 
Exempt  from  ills,  and  freed  from  pains, 
Where  this  unconquer'd  foul  will  fhine, 
And  all  the  viclor's  prize  be  mine, 
I  go  —  nor  vainly  fhed  the  tear, 
Oudbi  has  no  glory  here  ; 
Unfit  the  Illinois  to  guide^ 
No  more  the  dauntlefs  warriors*  pride  — 
.Since  as  a  haplefs  captive  led, 
Rack'd  like  a  flaVe,  he  bafely  bled, 
No  haughty  Huron  e'er  ihall  boaft, 
He  deign'd  to  live,  when  fame  was  loflL 

Cdario  !  thou  my  place  fuftain, 
The  chiefs  expect  thee  on  the  plain. 
Ah  !  ne'er  in  earth*  the  hatchet  lay, 

*Till  thou  haft  fwept  my  foes  away* 

The 

The  principal  Indian  figure   made  ufe  of  to  exprefs  the  making 
^  is  u  buying  tbekatcbett" 


THE  VIRTUES  OF  NATURE.  49 

The  flrong  convulfions  (hake  his  laboring  form, 
Hard,  and  with  pain,  the  loit'ring  blood  retires ; 
Thus  finks  the  oak,  when  loud  tornados  liorm, 
The  kingly  lion  with  fuch  pangs  expires. 

Cold  to  the  heart,  the  peerlefs  fachem  falls, 

No  heav'nly  pow'rs  the  fleeting  breath  reftrain, 

No  human  aid  his  parted  foul  recals, 

Whofe  life  was  VIRTUE,  and  whofe  fate  was  PAIN. 

Now  wailing  forrow  murmurs  thro  the  glade, 
While  to  the  tomb,*  where  deep  his  glorious  race, 
Eretly^  as  when  a  fubjecl;  tribe  obey'd, 
The  mourn'd  Oudbi's  facred  form  they  place. 

Thus  the  great  foul  to  realms  of  light  afcends  ! 
Down  at  his  feet  the  conq'ring  hatchet*;  (lands, 
O'er  his  high  head  the  fpreading  bow+  extends, 
The  luilral  coinj  adorns  his  lifelefs  hands  ! 

While 

*  Their  tombs,  or  rather  cemetaries,  are  of  great  extent,  and  of  cu- 
rious contraction,  and  to  which  the  living  pay  the  utmoft  veneration. 

Governor  Jeffeifou's  Notes  on  Virginia. 

f  The  pofture  in  which  they  bury  their  dead  is  either  fitting  or 
(landing  upright,  believing  that  when  they  rife,  they  muft  inhabit  heav- 
en in  the  fame  pofture  in  which  they  are  buried. 

%  They  not  only  believe  in  the  immortality  of  the  foul,  but  alfo  of  the 
bodies  of  men  and  animals,  and  even  of  their  Warlike  arms,  and  other 
inanimate  things  ;  and  for  this  reafon  it  is  a  cuPiom  with  them  to  bury 
with  their  chiefs,  his  hatchet  at  his  feet,  with  the  handle  perpendicular, 
his  bow  unftrung  over  his  head,  and  a  coin  (made,  according  to  Will- 
iam Penn,  of  a  fifh's  bone  highly  polifned)  in  his  hand. 

G 


50  THE  VIRTUES  OF  NATURE., 

While  to  the  fpot,  made  holy  by  his  fhade, 
His  faithful  tribe  with  annual  care  return* 
And,  as  the  folemn  obfequies  are  paid, 
In  pious  love,  and  humble  reverence  mourn. 

Each  lonely  Illinois,  who  wanders  by,t 
Will  with  the  hero's  fame  his  way  beguile, 
In  fond  devotion  bend  the  fuppliant  eye, 
And  add  one  pillar  to  the  facred  pile. 

There  mall  he  reft  f  and  if  in  realms  of  day, 
The  GOOD,  the  BRAVE,  diffufe  a  light  divine, 
Redoubled  fplendor  gilds  the  brighten'd  ray, 
WThich  bids  Oudbi's  NATIVE  VIRTUES  fhine  ! 


LET  not  the  CRITIC,  with  difdainfuFeye, 
In  the  weak  verfe  condemn  the  novel  flan; 
But  own,  that  VIRTUE  beams  in  ev'ry  Jkyt 

Tho  wayward  frailty  is  the  lot  of  man. 

Beyond 

*  At  ftated  periods  the  Indians  revifit  the  fepulchres  or  cemetaries 
of  their  chiefs,  and  perform  certain  rites  and  ceremonies  not  precifely 
known  to  the  Anglo-Americans.  Governor  Jeflferfon,  in  his  Notes, 
gives  one  inftance  of  this  cuftom. 

f  Thefe  fepulchres  or  cemetaries  are  raifed  to  a  very  great  heighth 
above  the  furface  of  the  earth,  by  immenfe  piles  of  (tones.  [See  Go<v. 
Jefferfon's  Notes.~\  And  to  prevent  their  being  levelled  by  time,  it  is  a 
religious  duty  for  every  one  of  the  fame  nation,  who  accidentally  pafles 
it,  to  add  one  (tone  in  reverence  to  the  pile.  [See  Mr.  Noah  Webjlers 
Letters  to  the  Rev.  Ezra  Stiles'] — who  fays,  "  Rowland  remarks  that  this 
cuftom  exifts  among  the  vulgar  Welfli  to  this  day,  the  fame  kind  of 
mounts  being  fcattered  over  the  well  of  England  and  Wales." 


THE  VIRTUES  OF 

pear  as  ourfelves  to  hold  each  faithful  friend, 
To  tread  the  path,  which  INNATE  L i G H T  infpires, 
To  guard  our  country's  rites,  her  foil  defend, 
Is  all  that  NATURE,  all  that  HEAV'N  requires. 


Addreffed  to  the  inimitable  AUTHOR  of  the  POEMS  under  the  Signa- 
ture of  DELLA  CRUSCA. 

ACROSS  the  vaft  Atlantic  tide, 
Down  Apalachia's  grafly  fide, 
What  echoing  founds  the  foul  beguile, 
And  lend  the  lip  of  grief  z.  fmile  ! 
*Tis  DELLA  CRUSCA'S  heav'nly  fong, 
Which  floats  the  weflern  fhores  along, 
Breathing  as  fweet,  as  foft  a  ftrain, 
As  kindnefs  to  the  ear  of  pain, 
Splendid  as  noon,  as  morning  clear, 
And  chafte  as  ev'ning's  pearly  tear; 
Where  cold  defpair  in  mufic  flows, 
While  all  the  FIRE  OF  GENIUS  glows , 

Still  thy  enchanting  pow'rs  difplay, 
Still  charm  me  with  the  magic  lay  ! 
The  Mufes  all  thy  foul  infpire, 
APOLLO  tunes  thy  matchlefs  lyre  ! 
O  ilrike  the  luftral  firing  again, 
Arid  o'er  Columbia  waft  the  ftrain. 

Ah  !  would  to  light  my  clouded  days, 
One  ray  from  thy  unequall'd  blaze, 
Might  thro  my  dark'ning  fortunes  ihine, 
And  grace  me  with  a  note  like  thine  ! 
But  no,  B  R  i  G  H  T  B  A  R  D,  for  thee  alone 
The  Mufes  weave  the  LAUREL  CROWN  : 
Ne'er  can  the  timid,  plaintive  dove, 
Soar  with  the  DAUNTLESS  BIRD  OF  JOVE  ; 
Nor  fih'ry  Hefper's  dewy  ray 
Beam  like  the  GOLDEN  ORB  OF  DAY. 

PHILENIA. 


YC150782 


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